Abby Carpenter Wins Amateur-Owner High Championship

Wellington, FL - February 7, 2004 - McLain Ward took yet another victory lap in the Internationale Arena at the 32nd Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, today, for his win in the $20,000 1.50 Meter Classic riding Quickstar II Z.

Owner Hunter Harrison of Double H Farm was at the ingate to congratulate his rider. "It's going wonderful," said Harrison. "We've got good horses and a great jockey. It's always thrilling watching him ride, as fine as he rides. He makes no mistakes, and he makes no errors. You just hope the horse is good because if the horse goes good, then he's going clean." Harrison is pleased with the way the season is going, noting that Ward aboard his horses has already logged five major wins at this year's WEF. "We're thrilled. We've got three world-class mares and a fourth seven-year-old that's coming along, so it's pretty exciting."

In today's class, Ward bested a field of 43 starters and was the fastest of four double-clear performances. Eight horses qualified for the Jump-Off. Megan Lamaze was the first clean setting the pace at 45.197 aboard Elfee, but she ended up fourth. Germany's Markus Beerbaum riding Le Mans 8 for Hyperion Farm laid down a blistering time of 40.034, but finished in second place. France's Eric Navet riding Mr. Acobat for Turtle Lane Farm took a shot at Beerbaum, but was one-tenth of a second off the pace and finished third. Ward was last to go in the tiebreaker and clocked in clean in a blazing 39.640 seconds for the win.

"We've got a great team together and the results are showing the teamwork," said Ward, 28, of Brewster, NY. "That mare's a real trier. She gives you so much in heart. I just went as fast as I could." Ward said he did not attack the jump-off course with a plan to shave time off the leader. "She's a very fast horse. I wasn't really that concerned about beating the time. I was more concerned about beating the time and leaving the jumps up. I felt if I could just leave the jumps up I could be fast enough." He said he did not watch Beerbaum's trip. "I knew I had a very fast horse and I just believed I could ride my round and hope that it was fast enough."

In earlier competition in the Internationale Arena, Abby Carpenter, 18, of Greenwich, CT, riding Augustus won the $10,000 Adequan Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High, clinching the Adequan Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship. This is Carpenter's first season in the Amateurs. Of the three classes offered in the division held over three days, Carpenter competed in two of them and won both, giving her enough points to not only claim the top honors but the Reserve as well. On Thursday, February 5, riding Rosanne Van De Withoeve, Carpenter won the $2,500 Adequan Amateur-Owner Jumper High, Time First Jump-Off. Carpenter trains with John Madden and Frank Madden. She purchased both Belgian-bred warmbloods on a European shopping trip two years ago. Augustus is a nine-year old gelding and Rosanne Van De Withoeve is a 10-year-old mare - both by the same sire, Major Delacour.

In today's $10,000 Adequan A-O Jumper Classic High, Carpenter bested 44 entries. Nineteen horses were clear over Round One and qualified for the Jump-Off. Carpenter was the second rider on course and posted the first clear in 40.598 seconds, which held up to the end of the tiebreaker. "I always do better when I go early because then I can set the pace rather than chasing," said Carpenter. "When I chase I tend to get too worried about not going fast enough and it causes me to have rails. John [Madden] said to really get on the gas in between." Course designer Olaf Peterson built the courses in the Internationale Arena this week, and Carpenter noted that the earlier tracks were more technical. "In comparison it was more big jumps, wide oxers, a lot of single jumps and a lot of options in the lines, so it was a nice galloping course. The time allowed became a factor for some."

Today's win was not the first for the 16.2-hand gray Augustus. "He's been a great horse. He's been a champion in a lot of places," said Carpenter. "Last year in Florida it just all of a sudden sort of clicked. There's no way really to explain it other than it just started to work out and ever since then we're real comfortable with each other. We know him inside out, everything that he needs to do before he shows. But he's a real easy horse, he's real fast, he's real quick in the air."

Carpenter is a senior in high school and resides in Florida during season, keeping up with studies via a tutor. She plans to attend college and major in Animal Science. "All the schools I have applied to have riding programs. I definitely want to keep riding during college."

Earning the Champion and Reserve ribbons today felt "great," Carpenter said. "I'm having a great Florida so far, so I'm really excited. I've got a good group of horses and good trainers."

For full results of today's classes, visit www.stadiumjumping.com

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.